I've just had cancer removed from my face

[elliollie]

As the title says, I had basal cell carcinoma on my nose and I had it removed last week and a skin graft used from my neck. I saw the wound for the first time the other day and it looks awful, much bigger than I thought and really not nice. I know it will get better but I'm sad.
I wish people would be honest rather than say it's not too bad or it will get better. I know they're only being nice but it makes me feel silly for being upset. (Not crying every minute but sad)
Please tell me I'm not unreasonable to wallow in self pity for a week or two!

Wallow all you like! You’re bound to feel upset and a bit miserable.

I had something else removed from my face. Non cancerous, but it was bleeding all the time and getting bigger. I no longer have the pretty face of my youth 🤣 and even I was worried about the possible scaring. A year on you can barely see it, it’s barely raised and tbh if I’d kept massaging it, it might well have been completely flat.

I could cover it completely if I wore make up, but I haven’t in years and don’t plan to start now, and definitely not to hide a small scar.

In my situation I just needed the bleeding (randomly pouring out blood) to stop, so I’d have accepted a scar in it’s place.

It is frustrating when people are trying to reassure you and jolly you out of it when actually you just want to fuck the world off and lick your wounds ...definitely not literally!

Didn't think I'd be updating so soon but I've just taken my dressing off and I'm actually pleasantly surprised! I think it looks a lot better than it did on Friday.
@ShannonRockallMalin I've tagged you in case you want to see it.

Ouch - looks sore but on the mend!

I hear that chocolate and wine works wonders for a poorly nose.

To be fair, it's not that painful at the moment. I'm just pleased with how much the dent has risen. The edge is much less raised and irl doesn't look that much different to a deep graze. I'm actually feeling quite hopeful that the scarring won't be as bad as I first thought.

Oh and I've been eating my own body weight in chocolate! Might have had a cheeky drink or two as well!

Huzzah

your doing fab op! The 2 pics do show alot of change already as you said the edges do look alot better and its looking more on the mend if that makes sense!
If you dont mind me asking, when u noticed it was it always a little wound that didn’t heal or more of a hard lump that didn’t really cause problems except being visable?Xx

@Betsy86 I can't actually remember! I think it may have started as a spot. I didn't take much notice at first. It definitely wasn't a hard lump though.

elliollie that's looking really good for a fresh wound, you will keep healing and looking better and better!

I have had the same surgery and have psoriasis and had a family who still do not understand that whilst they thought they were helping by saying how you don't notice it they were failing to accept how I felt so snap! Unfortunately in addition the surgery was poorly done and also the wound opened so I attended a and e where they (inappropriately) glued it shut, that failed so it was a real botched job. Ho hum. Good wishes for a speedy and problem free recovery.

OP I had mine removed from my face in March and was so upset when I saw the mess afterwards. In all honesty, you can barely tell now. A bit of discoloration which I can cover with concealer but I don't usually bother as it's hardly noticeable!

That looks so much better already! Just looks like you’ve had a fight with a particularly sharp Christmas tree . Thanks for keeping me updated, it’s very reassuring.

That's healing really quickly. Hopefully you can see now it's healing and that's making you feel a bit better. Not long now and you'll be back to your old self! x

That is definitely looking quite a bit better already! I had a BSC removed in March, on the side of my nostril, and a graft taken from just in front of my ear. I refused declined to look at the work of the BSC removal man (I had the Mohs procedure) although he did offer to show me the pictures he'd taken to send to the plastic surgeon. I kept the bandage on until my first check-up with the surgeon and declined a mirror then as well . So it was about ten days until I actually had to look at it when I changed the second dressing. I was amazed at how quickly it healed, and now it isn't really visible at all to other people. I do wear makeup, but not to cover it up. Hang in there - you'll be fine in the long run even if you want to hide away now.

*BCC, even...not sure what I thought BSC stood for!

@Roystonv I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.
Thanks all, yeah, I'm feeling much better about it. I can see that it will heal well and it's really flattening. I'll post again in a few days and show you the difference. Thanks for the support everyone. It's really helped having this thread.

Thank you for the good wishes. Glad all progressing well for you; keep us up to date.

elliolloie you are so not unreasonable to be pissed off. I had squamous cell cancer removed from my nose as my user name indicates, and the "it'll be all right" stuff hacked right me off. One friend actually said: The only reason you're sad is because it's your face" WTF

Glad you're going well and healing.

I don't want to piss on your chips, but "well-wishers" need to be reminded that there is a link, though not clear, between skin cancer and increased risk of any cancer.

I'm off for my annual skin cancer body check in a week and have found two iffy bits. Fingers crossed.

Wow that is so much better, so quickly.

Keep being kind to yourself and keep us updated. Glad you are feeling more positive.

Oh that looks sore and crap. But i'm pretty sure that will heal very nicely and it'll just look like a tiny white dot on your nose. The edges around it are lovely, think you've had an excellent seamstress.

I don't think anyone will notice it when it has healed. You will forever though. Hugh Jackman has had a few basal cells from his face and nose. Have a look at a recent pic of him and see if you can see where, you can't. It'll be the same with you

@myMohsnose good luck for your check up! Hope the iffy bits turn out to be nothing

Just saw your pictures, I think that it will heal up nicely. Good luck with your recovery (and I mean that emotionally as well).

Thought I'd do an update photo. Still healing well. Only issue is I've realised they've left a stitch in my nose! Going tomorrow to have it removed. I've been out and about with it uncovered and so far, I haven't frightened any small children!

Several of my relatives have had basal cells that sort of size removed from similar places on their noses and now a few years on you can barely see the scar. Please encourage everyone to get regularly checked by a dermatologist for skin cancers, especially if skin issues run in the family. I go every 3 months as I have had 2 basal cell operations and my mother has had a huge melanoma removed from her face and pretty much everyone in my extended family have had melanomas and basal cells.

@SofiaAmes Unfortunately, as I'm adopted, except for my dc, I don't have contact with any biological family so have no idea of any history.